Dogs and Cats in Germany: Veterinarian, Costs, Hundesteuer and Insurance – A Guide for Poles

You live in Germany and have a dog or cat – or you are planning to bring one from Poland or adopt from a Tierheim? This guide collects in one place what often surprises Poles in practice: how veterinary bills are calculated, how much an emergency service costs at night, what Hundesteuer is, where to register a dog, when liability insurance is mandatory, and what documents are needed on the way to Poland.

Last verification: October 21, 2026. Informational material – not legal, tax, or veterinary advice. Regulations in Germany vary between federal states (Länder) and municipalities, and amounts change; always confirm them with an official source for your place of residence.

In Brief

Veterinarian (Tierarzt) and Costs – How GOT Works

In Germany, there is no freedom of pricing as in Poland. The fees for veterinarians are regulated by the federal regulation Gebührenordnung für Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte (GOT). The current version is from August 15, 2022, and has been in effect since November 22, 2022 (GOT text on gesetze-im-internet.de). The main rules are:

Single Rate (einfacher Satz) – the amounts in the GOT annex are 1x rates, stated excluding VAT (§ 1 para. 2 and 3).

Ranges 1–3 – the veterinarian sets the fee from 1 to 3 times the rate, considering factors such as the difficulty of the procedure, time, time of day, the value of the animal, and local conditions (§ 2 para. 1).

Above 3 times or below the rate – only in justified cases and after prior agreement in writing, of which you must receive a copy (§ 5 para. 1).

Emergency Service (Notdienst) – at night (6:00 PM–8:00 AM), on weekends (from Friday 6:00 PM to Monday 8:00 AM), and on public holidays, the rate during emergency service is from 2 to 4 times, plus a €50 emergency fee, charged once per case, even if you treat several animals (§ 2 para. 2, § 4).

Medications and Materials Separately – in addition to the fees for services, the veterinarian may charge for medications, materials, and additional costs (§ 7 para. 2). The bill must include, among other things, the date, species of the animal, diagnosis or reason for the visit, item number from GOT, and VAT (§ 7 para. 4).

Sample Rates from GOT (1x, net)

Source of rates: GOT annex (as of October 21, 2026). The "3x" column was calculated by us. Remember that additional items apply during procedures: anesthesia, medications, materials, and VAT, so the final bill will be significantly higher than the procedure rate alone.

Veterinary Emergency Service – How to Find Emergency Care

Night and weekend emergency services are organized locally (by practices, clinics, and veterinary chambers), so there is no single nationwide number. Practically: save the number of your practice and the nearest veterinary clinic (Tierklinik), check the practice's website for emergency service announcements (“Notdienst”), and search for “tierärztlicher Notdienst” plus the city name. Before you go, call – ask if they will accept your pet, and you will immediately know that emergency rates will apply.

How to Find a Veterinarian Who Speaks Polish

We do not provide names or addresses – we have not verified any list. You can search like this:

• in online maps and search engines: “Tierarzt polnisch” or “Tierarzt Polnisch sprechend” plus the city name; then check the practice's website to see if they actually list Polish as a language;
• in local Polish community groups and forums in your city – ask about specific practices and check reviews;
• on the website of the veterinary chamber (Tierärztekammer) of your federal state – some chambers have practice search tools, but we do not know if all allow filtering by language;
• by calling the practice and asking directly: “Spricht bei Ihnen jemand Polnisch?”.

Even if the veterinarian does not speak Polish, the bill must include a diagnosis and GOT items, making it easy to translate and verify.

Hundesteuer – Dog Tax

Hundesteuer is a local tax: set by the municipality (Gemeinde, Stadt), and in Berlin – by the tax office (Finanzamt). It applies to dogs; cats are not registered. The amount, deadlines, and exemptions depend on your place of residence, so below are only verified examples.

Exemptions for shelter dogs: in Berlin, a dog adopted from a Tierheim or similar animal protection facility may be exempt from tax for five years (Berlin Senate FAQ); you must apply for the exemption at the Finanzamt. Munich also provides exemptions for shelter dogs and for the Hundeführerschein (stadt.muenchen.de) – check the city's website for details.

1. Check your municipality's rules

   Type “Hundesteuer” and the name of your locality. On the municipality's website, you will find the rate, registration deadline, and form.

2. Register your dog on time

   Deadlines can be short – in Munich, two weeks. Registration is also required after moving with a dog from another municipality or from Poland.

3. Check if a national registry is required

   In Berlin and Hamburg, dogs must be registered in the official dog registry (Hunderegister). In Berlin, registration costs a one-time fee of €17.50 online or €26.50 by mail/phone (FAQ Hunderegister Berlin).

4. Ask about exemptions

   A shelter dog, assistance dog, financial hardship – exemptions and reductions vary in each municipality, and you usually need to apply for them.

5. Deregister your dog

   After the death of your dog, giving it away, or moving, deregister it – otherwise, the tax will continue to be charged.

Dog Liability Insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung)

Dog owner liability insurance covers damages caused by the dog to other people (e.g., bites, traffic accidents caused by the dog). This is a separate product from pet health insurance. Whether it is mandatory depends on the federal state:

Even where liability insurance is not mandatory, it is worth considering: in Germany, the pet owner is liable for damages caused by their pet, and personal injuries can be very costly. If you already have private liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht), check the policy conditions to see if and which animals are covered – do not assume it covers dogs.

List Dogs and “Dangerous” Dogs

There is no single nationwide list of breeds. Each federal state has its own law or regulation: some maintain lists of breeds (Listenhunde, colloquially Kampfhunde), while others assess dogs individually. The consequences can be serious: permits, character tests, muzzles and leashes, higher taxes. Examples:

• in Munich, the dog tax for a dog classified as “Kampfhunde” is €800 in 2026 instead of €100, and the assessment is based on the Bavarian regulation on dogs with increased aggression (Hundesteuersatzung München, § 4);
• in Hamburg, dangerous dogs must always wear a muzzle and be on a leash (hamburg.de).

If you have a dog of a breed resembling a bull terrier, amstaff, pit bull, or their mix, before moving, check the regulations of the destination Land and municipality. Some dogs are not allowed to be imported or kept without a permit.

Hundeführerschein and Sachkundenachweis

The “Hundeführerschein” (dog handler's license) is an exam on knowledge and practical handling of a dog. In many places, it is voluntary but may be rewarded – for example, Munich provides exemption from Hundesteuer for Hundeführerschein (conditions on the city's website).

In Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), the dog law (NHundG) requires first-time dog owners to provide proof of knowledge (Sachkundenachweis): a theoretical part before acquiring the dog, and a practical part in the first year. This law also mandates liability insurance and registration in the central registry. The official websites of the Lower Saxony government (ml.niedersachsen.de, laves.niedersachsen.de) were unavailable at the time of our verification due to technical work, so we do not provide a link or detailed amounts – check them directly with the municipality or on the LAVES website.

Chip and Registration: Official and Voluntary

A chip (Transponder, Microchip) is an identification number implanted under the skin. The number alone is useless if no one knows to whom it belongs. In Germany, there are two types of registries:

The chip should meet ISO 11784/11785 standards – according to the Berlin registry, practically all chips used in German practices meet these standards. If a dog or cat has a chip from Poland that complies with these standards, it is usually sufficient to enter its number into German registries – if in doubt, the veterinarian will read the chip.

Pet Health Insurance: Full or Only for Operations?

Pet health insurance in Germany is a private product; prices and conditions depend on the insurer, species, breed, and age of the animal. We do not provide prices. General differences:

Since GOT rates can reach 3 times, and during emergency service 4 times, when comparing offers, check primarily to what multiple the policy reimburses costs.

Bringing Pets from Poland and Traveling to Poland

Poland and Germany are both EU members, so when traveling with a dog, cat, or ferret, EU rules for the non-commercial movement of animals apply (Your Europe):

1. Chip before vaccination

   The animal must have a microchip. A readable tattoo is sufficient only if it was done before July 3, 2011. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

2. Rabies vaccination

   This must be done by an authorized veterinarian. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old. After the first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before traveling. Keep track of the reminder vaccination date entered in the passport.

3. EU passport for the animal

   A valid European pet passport issued by an authorized veterinarian is required between EU countries. A Polish passport is valid in Germany and vice versa.

4. Up to 5 animals

   You can transport up to 5 animals without additional requirements. A larger number is only allowed when participating in an exhibition, competition, or event and for animals older than 6 months.

5. Upon arrival in Germany

   Register the dog for Hundesteuer, if required – in the Land registry, purchase liability insurance where it is mandatory, and add the chip number in TASSO or FINDEFIX.

Legal basis: until April 21, 2026, Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 was applied. According to the Your Europe service, new regulations are currently in effect: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 regarding document templates. The practical requirements described above (chip, vaccination, 21 days, passport, limit of 5 animals) remain the same in this source.

Adoption from a Shelter (Tierheim)

German shelters are usually run by local animal protection associations. The typical adoption process includes:

• a conversation and often several meetings with the chosen animal; some shelters check the conditions at home;
• if you rent an apartment, you may be asked for the owner's consent for the animal – also check your rental agreement;
• an adoption contract (often “Schutzvertrag”), in which the shelter may reserve, for example, the right to control or prohibit resale – read it before signing;
• an adoption fee (Schutzgebühr) – the amount is set by the shelter, so we do not provide figures.

Also check if your municipality offers a tax reduction for a shelter dog – Berlin exempts such dogs from Hundesteuer for five years (Berlin Senate FAQ).

Common Mistakes

• Not registering the dog for Hundesteuer after moving from Poland or another municipality.
• Believing that registration in TASSO or FINDEFIX replaces the official dog registry or tax registration – it does not.
• Lack of liability insurance where it is mandatory (e.g., Berlin, Hamburg) – or a contract with a deductible or coverage amount not compliant with Land regulations.
• Vaccinating against rabies before implanting the chip or traveling sooner than 21 days after the first vaccination.
• Being surprised by the emergency bill – at night, on weekends, and on holidays, rates are higher, plus a €50 emergency fee.
• Choosing health insurance without checking to what multiple of GOT it reimburses costs.
• Moving with a dog of a “listed” breed without checking the regulations of the destination federal state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a tax for cats in Germany?

Hundesteuer applies to dogs. In Berlin, the mandatory registry also only covers dogs (FAQ Hunderegister Berlin). However, it is advisable to chip and register a cat for free in TASSO or FINDEFIX.

Can a veterinarian charge more than the “price list”?

Within the 1–3 times range, yes, depending on circumstances. More than 3 times requires prior written agreement, of which you receive a copy. An exception is emergency service, where 2–4 times plus €50 applies (§ 4 and § 5 GOT). You have the right to request a detailed bill.

Is a Polish pet passport valid in Germany?

Yes – it is a European passport, recognized in all EU countries, provided the entries for rabies vaccination are current (Your Europe).

How much is Hundesteuer in my city?

The amount is set by the municipality. Type “Hundesteuer” and the name of the locality – the rate is provided on the municipality's website or in its statute (Hundesteuersatzung). Examples: Berlin €120, Munich €100 in 2026, and €144 from 2027.

I have a dog in Berlin. Do I need to go to the Finanzamt separately?

Usually not. From January 1, 2024, registration in Hunderegister is also a tax registration, and from November 8, 2024, deregistration is also a tax deregistration. You go to the Finanzamt, for example, to apply for a tax exemption (FAQ Hunderegister Berlin).

Fact-Check Summary

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